GM recalling 8.4M cars, 8.2M related to ignition problems [UPDATE]

Recall Covers Equivalent Populations Of Nine US States And District Of Columbia Combined

General Motors today announced a truly massive recall covering some 8.4 million vehicles in North America. Most significantly, 8.2 million examples of the affected vehicles are being called back due to "unintended ignition key rotation," though GM spokesperson Alan Adler tells Autoblog that this issue is not like the infamous Chevy Cobalt ignition switch fiasco.

For the sake of perspective, translated to US population, this total recall figure would equal a car for each resident of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Wyoming. Combined. Here's how it all breaks down:

7,610,862 vehicles in North America being recalled for unintended ignition key rotation. 6,805,679 are in the United States.

A second group of vehicles* are being recalled for a slightly different ignition key rotation issue (more details below). 616,179 of these vehicles are in North America, with 554,328 found in the United States.

Additionally 20,134 North American vehicles are being recalled because "insulation on the engine block heater power cord (if equipped) may become damaged during very cold conditions." 2,990 of these vehicles are in the United States.

12,002 vehicles in North America are being recalled because "an overload in the feed may cause the underhood fusible link to melt due to electrical overload, resulting in potential smoke or flames that could damage the electrical center cover and/or the nearby wiring harness conduit." 9,371 of the affected vehicles are in the US.

Finally, 188,705 SUVs in North America are being recalled due to "a possible electrical short in the driver's door module that could disable the power door lock and window switches and, in rare cases, overheat the module." Here, 181,984 of these vehicles are in the US.

The Cadillac models in the second grouping* have been found to be subject to unintended key rotation because of accidental bumping of one's key fobs (a condition similar to the June 13 Camaro recall), whereas the other, larger group of older vehicles is not subject to bumping. In either case, this is not like the infamous Chevy Cobalt ignition switch issue – the switch in these vehicles meet GM specifications, the company says the problem is with the key design itself.

The solution won't be a new ignition switch at all, it will be sending additional detachable key rings to owners (allowing drivers to disconnect their car key from the rest of their key chain to reduce strain on the system) and/or inserts designed to fit within the ignition key head itself to alter the keyring attachment loop from a slot to a hole (because the slot can cause the weight of the keychain to hang asymmetrically, thereby increasing the amount of torque on the key and as a result, the switch.

Company spokesperson Alan Adler, tells Autoblog that GM "changed the [key] design in late December of 2010," so vehicles built after that time are not affected by the issue.

GM is aware of seven crashes, eight injuries and three fatalities related to these issues. "The fatal crashes occurred in older model fullsize sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. There is no conclusive evidence that the defect condition caused those crashes," GM said in a press release. Scroll down to read the automaker's full statement.

DETROIT – General Motors announced today it will conduct six new safety recalls in the United States involving about 7.6 million vehicles from the 1997 to 2014 model years.

"We undertook what I believe is the most comprehensive safety review in the history of our company because nothing is more important than the safety of our customers," said GM CEO Mary Barra. "Our customers deserve more than we delivered in these vehicles. That has hardened my resolve to set a new industry standard for vehicle safety, quality and excellence."

Among these recalled vehicles, GM is aware of seven crashes, eight injuries and three fatalities. The fatal crashes occurred in older model full-size sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. There is no conclusive evidence that the defect condition caused those crashes.

"We have worked aggressively to identify and address the major outstanding issues that could impact the safety of our customers," Barra said. "If any other issues come to our attention, we will act appropriately and without hesitation."

GM has made changes to every process that affects the safety of its vehicles, and the company has acted or will act on all 90 of the recommendations put forward by former U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas in his independent report to the company's Board of Directors.

GM expects to take a charge of up to approximately $1.2 billion in the second quarter for the cost of recall-related repairs announced in the quarter. This amount includes a previously disclosed $700 million charge for recalls already announced during the quarter.

Until the ignition recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key, and always use their seat belts. The key fob, if present, should also be removed from the key ring.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

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I see one particular car missing from that list 1997-1999 oldsmobile cutlass. Identical to the malibu, and i have had similar issues with mine in the past. Someone should tell them to add this car to the list

I have that car, a 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass. It's not on the list, and I've been trying to use GM's chat to clarify the situation, but I'm guessing it's overwhelmed. It hasn't worked yesterday or today.

Wow Tariff, so eager to counter everybody's response on here you're always double posting to correct your typing mistakes. Do you work? Seems like you're constantly on here at every second. Even if the SS was recalled, I'd buy one. I had a Pontiac G8 and it was one of the best cars I ever owned. And no you're not special because you know it's a rebadged Commodore built in Australia, so you can stop pointing that out.

LMFAO. Sounds like you're losing sleep trying to convince people you are not driving a POS Cruz. You don't have to look very far , just click on recalls right here on Auto blog buddy. Look up Chevy Cruz it will make your stomach turn. .

Cruzer hassles Roger about " English " as he spews lies, telling us that " I've grown up around GM and they've all been excellent ". Before trying to belittle someone about English, maybe make sure you don't make any mistakes ( " get yur fast straight. " - straight from a post by cruzer ). Mind you your biggest mistakes are trusting GM and being coming a paid GM blogger.

BTW cruzer. It's " an " idiot. Another error from you as you try and slag Roger over " English ". Pretty comical that you try to belittle someone over English while you make mistake after mistake with your English.

There's poor grammar, and there is that which is barely recognizable as coherent language. Cruzer belongs to the former, while "Roger Smith" belongs to the latter. Please do try to not confuse the two.

The one recall I want to see Total Recall Motors is the one for Barack Hussein Obama, his Moochie, and the brood. If we are lucky it will be a wide recall so that Vice President Joe Bite Me, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Sandra Fluke will be caught in the net. Problem is going to be that not even Hell wants them.

No, just a huge pool of paid to blog scum, know now as "ploggers" that marketing companies use for things like this. GM has them, the German brands have a TON of them....probably the most. Go to any college campus in the country, find a bulletin board and look for "Work from your dorm" ads.....BINGO, you get a marketing company that works for a car company. You get paid by the click. The internet is FILLED with such scum.

Cruzer, the Cruze comes in almost dead last in initial quality and in all the car comparisons, it's total crap of a car. I have a Friend in Dallas that bought one and wishes they never got it. His Check engine light will not go off and "On Star" told him it was his thermostat and he dealer said it was his gas cap but no one seams to be able to fix the problem. There crap, from a crap company.